Good friends share good cookie recipes

(Peanut Butter Blossoms are a delicious mix of chocolate and peanut butter)

Must ... bake ... more ... cookies ...

I'm not done yet, with baking cookies, that is. I've been filling little bags and pretty boxes with homemade treats for the past two weeks, stockpiling them for gifts for family and friends for the holidays.

And speaking of family and friends, most of my recipes come from them, and I always make note of that on my recipe cards: Nancy's Cheesecake, Betty's Baklava, Nadine's Ring of Fudge Cake. When I make these recipes I think of the friends from whom they came — it's like rekindling fond memories as the warm smell of baking fills the home.

I came across the recipe for Polly's Peanut Butter Blossoms and had to make them for the holidays. The soft, chewy cookie is topped with a Hershey's Kiss, which melts into the warm little cookie base for a perfect combination of flavors.

They're quick to make, so if you're looking for one last cookie recipe to bake, give this one a whirl.

(Three little Peanut Butter Blossoms sit on top of freshly fallen snow)

Polly's Peanut Butter Blossoms

1. About 48 Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped (try not to eat them all as you prep this)
2. 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3. 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
4. 1/3 cup white sugar
5. 1/3 cup light brown sugar
6. 1 large egg
7. 2 tablespoons milk
8. 1 teaspoon vanilla
9. 1 1/2 cups flour
10. 1 teaspoon baking soda
11. 1/2 teaspoon salt
12. Additional sugar

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butter and peanut butter.
• Add the white sugar and the light brown sugar.
• Beat well.
• Add the egg, milk and vanilla. Mix again.
• Keep the mixer running and gradually add the flour mixture; beat until the dough comes together (it will be a bit sticky).
  

(Roll the dough balls in sugar before baking)

• Shape the dough into 1-inch balls; roll them in additional sugar.
• Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.
• Remove from oven and place one Kiss on top of each cookie, pressing down firmly so the cookie cracks.
• Cool on a rack.
• Makes about 40-48 cookies.

Happy holidays!

And don't forget to check out the Eat Christmas Cookies roundup at Food Blogga for 228 Christmas cookie recipes from around the world — more than you and the elves could possibly make for the holidays.